A spokesman from the fire service said there were reports of one patient absconding during the commotion caused by the fire. Police and fire officials were unable to confirm if any missing patient had been located.

He said the fire was "severe" having spread through "quite a lot of the building involved".

Image:The blaze at the Sir Robert Peel hospital in Staffordshire

He added: "We're trying to sacrifice part of the building and let that burn to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the hospital."

Christopher Pincher, the MP for Tamworth, said he was "very concerned" by the fire.

"I very much hope that there are no injuries and wish all the best to our local fire crews, Police and emergency services," he said.

:: Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 796 of 11 February 2019.